The New York Giants' Willie Mays catches a ball hit by Cleveland's Vic Wertz in Game 1 of the World Series on Sept. 29, 1954, in New York's Polo Grounds. The catch is still considered the finest defensive play in baseball.
Rachel Wertz learned the news in a way that seemed fitting. Her dad, Terry Wertz, sent her a text early in the week, and thus the son of the man who hit the most revered fly out in history was the first to inform his youngest daughter: Willie Mays, who caught the ball, had died at 93. “My grandfather passed before I was born,” said Rachel, a professional photographer.
“But for me, as long as I can remember, it was always ‘The Catch’ and Willie Mays.” She was speaking of Sept. 29, 1954, Game 1 of the World Series between the old New York Giants and Cleveland, the score tied 2-2 in the top of the eighth at New York’s now-long-demolished Polo Grounds.
Rachel Wertz, granddaughter of the late Vic Wertz, with an image of her grandfather in a Bisons uniform. Cleveland first baseman Vic Wertz, Rachel’s grandpa, came up with two men on. Wertz was on fire, headed toward a four-hit game.
He promptly drove a Don Liddle pitch at least 450-feet, a game-clinching blast almost anywhere else. Not with Mays in center. He ran toward the wall, at a dead sprint.
He caught the ball in an act of sheer beauty, then pivoted to make a stunning throw to second. Larry Doby tagged up, but stopped at third. Al Rosen stayed at first.
New York went on to win the game. The .
